Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Gospel's Commentary
Today we are surprised to see some religious authorities asking Jesus for an explanation. They do not deny their miracles (cures, resurrecting dead people ...). They can’t deny reality! But, instead of "surrendering" to Him and worshiping Him, recognizing Him as God, they subject Him to an indecent interrogation. What arrogance! Other people with a simple heart, prostrated before Jesus Christ. But they -the authorities- don’t ...
-In the end, not being able to maintain this hypocrisy, they ended up crucifying the Lord (because He worked miracles and they feared that the people would follow Him ...). Before God there are no "half measures".